Building owners, investors, and managers are increasingly aware of and concerned about energy consumption, green building technology, and sustainability. Criterium-Carlysle/Gibbs Engineers stands ready to assist with services to promote and facilitate these important operating procedures.
Some of the energy & sustainability services we offer include:
LEED Design and Certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a comprehensive approach to designing and operating green buildings. A key component is energy conservation. However, LEED also considers the impact of water consumption and re-use, transportation, indoor air quality, and related systems. With many LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP), Criterium-Carlysle/Gibbs Engineers is ready to assist with the design and certification of new and existing buildings.
Energy Star Rating
Energy Star ratings have been created by the U.S. Department of Energy to promote energy efficiency in products and buildings. To receive an Energy Star rating, a building must be in the top 25th percentile when benchmarked against similar buildings. A licensed, Professional Engineer is required to certify a building’s operation against the referenced benchmark.
Energy Tax Credits
Section 179(d) of the tax code and other local and state codes sometimes allow property owners to take a tax credit for equipment that is installed to reduce energy consumption. Criterium-Carlysle/Gibbs Engineers can provide design and analytical services in support of these tax credits.
Energy Audits
An energy audit is designed to analyze the major sources of energy consumption within a building and develop alternative strategies to reduce that consumption. Criterium Engineers offers a preliminary analysis as an option with our Property Condition Assessments or a complete energy audit per ASHRAE guidelines as a stand-alone service.
Blower Door Test
Criterium-Carlysle/Gibbs Engineers is qualified and experienced in performing other types of evaluations to attain increased energy efficiency in your homes or buildings. A blower door test with an infrared camera inspection can determine where infiltration is causing un-needed loads on the heating/cooling system. Infiltration can cause both higher heating/cooling costs but can also promote condensation problems in cavities that can lead to water damage and mold growth.
Retro HVAC Commissioning
HVAC design is very dependent upon usage and age of a building therefore occasionally when buildings are re-purposed, or have had some HVAC modifications and add ons, the system doesn’t operate as efficiently as possible. Retro-commissioning evaluates the current use and equipment location and controls to test the heating/cooling system to insure older systems are indeed still operating to their expected capacity and providing the occupants with a comfortable environment. Many of these small operations and controls improvements cost very little but can make a significant difference in operating costs and occupant comfort.